Blades are alive and kicking thanks to Henderson

The Blades would have been relegated to League One had they not beaten promotion-chasing Reading.

But the striker, who has been jeered by his own supporters at Bramall Lane, inspired a 3-2 away victory that leaves the Blades six points adrift of safety in the Championship with two games to play.

His goals would have been even more valuable if only rivals Crystal Palace had not won against Leeds United.

But, regardless of that setback, the Blades are now off the bottom of the table and are not down yet.

To survive, they will need victories in their last two games against Barnsley and Swansea City but will also need Palace or Doncaster Rovers to lose twice.

Even that would only be enough to stay up, if they pull back an inferior goal difference.

Manager Micky Adams hailed Henderson’s performance last night, saying: “When I first arrived, Darius was missing full stop so to get him back in the sort of form he is showing now is terrific.

“I know he has taken a bit of stick off the fans recently – I don’t know why, you will have to ask them – but I am just pleased for him that he has got his goals and his reward.”

Henderson’s popularity with the Blades’ fans nose-dived after he missed a series of gilt-edged opportunities in a recent home defeat against Middlesbrough. He had also been sent off against Watford – on his return from a 10-month injury absence.

“He has been particularly unlucky in recent games,” added Adams. “But I told him to keep going. I just said ‘You’re in the same boat as me – keep paddling”

Henderson, who spent five years with Reading after being released as a youngster by Leeds, was also praised by his manager for ‘looking after’ teenage strike-partner Jordan Slew.

Reflecting on his side’s victoy and assessing the chances of survival, Adams said: “I am just pleased to have won a game. I have not experienced an away victory since I’ve been at the club and that is probably what’s cost us.We showed a lot of character and I was really proud of the boys.

“It still looks a nigh on impossible task but what we we have got to do is win against Barnsley next week and then worry about it,” he added.

“If we don’t win, the goal difference won’t mean anything. Let’s take care of Barnsley the best we can.”

Adams is expecting no favours whatsoever from local rivals Barnsley and, with tongue firmly in cheek, said: “It will be a local derby and I am sure they will be trying their best to help us out and accommodate us for the revenue that is created by local derbies. We will just try and win the game and extend our season if we can.”

Doncaster, who were held 2-2 by Barnsley yesterday, entertain Leicester City next weekend before visiting Middlesbrough on the final day of the season.

Palace’s remaining two fixtures are away at Hull City and at home to Nottingham Forest.

Leeds manager Simon Grayson last night insisted his side’s play-off hopes are still alive.

The Elland Road club slipped to ninth with defeat at Crystal Palace and trail sixth-placed Nottingham Forest by three points and have an inferior goal difference. Despite that, Grayson is adamant his side can still force their way back into the top six by taking six points from their final two games – at home to Burnley and away at Queens Park Rangers, whose promotion should be confirmed by then.

Grayson said: “They are both winnable games. We will have 30,000 at Elland Road next week roaring us on.

“If we can win that and the other results go for us then that would give us an opportunity.

“We still believe we have a fighting chance. It was in our hands before and now it is in the hands of others.

“But football can be unpredictable. If we can win the two games then we will see where it takes us.

“Whatever happens from now on, we can say we had had a good season. We still believe we can finish it off.

“It was a flat and quiet dressing room because we are disappointed with the result. But we are not out of it mathematically. If Forest lose and we win then it is game on.”

Neil Danns’s goal after just 76 seconds was enough to condemn Leeds to a fourth straight defeat on the road.

Following on from a run of form that has seen United collect just six points from their last four games at Elland Road, the reverse at Selhurst Park means Grayson’s men have to be considered as major outsiders in the race for the top six. Grayson added: “I am hugely disappointed for the fans. If it doesn’t happen then we have to prepare for next year. One year this club will be back in the Premier League. I don’t know when that will be but we are still in it this year.”

United were, in truth, disappointing yesterday with Palace dominating the first half to such an extent that it was a major surprise they were not at least three goals up at the break.

Grayson sent on Sanchez Watt and Neil Kilkenny, a move that did pep up Leeds, but the visitors rarely troubled Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni.